Hi there, I am looking to get my CDL and hit the open road, what I am looking for is some TMC drivers to answer some questions about the company.

Q1: How long have you been with TMC?

Q2: How long have you been driving Rigs?

Q3: Did you get your CDL through TMC or did you already have one?

Q4: Do you like/love your job? Reasons?

Q5: I understand that TMC offers two ways to get paid, mileage or percentage, in your experience and that of your cooworkers what is the prefered choice? What is the milage rate anyway? Also, do you think that the benefits package they offer is a good one? (health insurance, 401k, etc...)

Q6: On average, how many miles do you drive in a week? Are there times when you don't get the miles you would like to? Or have you ever gotten more miles that you wanted?

Q7: Does TMC try to push their drivers (in any way) to bend/break the rules just to get a load to its destination? If even just a little bit, would you consider any of this unreasonable? Other thoughts on this?

Q8: If I start out with TMC and get my CDL through them (I can't afford a school on my own) is there anything I should know that would be helpfull? Anything you wish you knew before doing it yourself?

Q9: I see their fleet is flatbed, I have also read in other threads complaints about tarping and securing loads. What do you think about the work? Is it really as bad as some make it sound? I weigh 155lbs and these tarps are claimed to be 130lbs, am I gonna have a tarp kick my ###? Is every load tarped? Do you have to do much loading/unloading yourself, and what kind of loads (specifically) are you dealing with?

Q10: All of this considered, would you recommend TMC as a good company to work for? If not, is there any other company/s that can offer a better deal?

i never worked for TMC but an "aquaintance" of mine did. he seemed to like flatbedding. TMC (back then, i don't know about now), use to provide you with polish for the truck, the tanks,wheels, and other stainless steel and chromed parts. he was REQUIRED (again, back then) to wash and polish that truck on a regular basis.

i simply will not polish ANY big rig on my time off when i'd rather be watching tv, relaxing, reading a newspaper, or enjoying a day out and AWAY from that truck.

i will wash a truck, usually at a "Blue Beacon", just wait in line, then wash, then drive away. i WILL do windows, i WILL clean the interior, since i "live" inside of that rig for several hours per day. my current rig is a Freightliner Columbia day cab, so cleaning is no big deal, just a few minutes, then i go home.

but, when you're stuck at some truckstop, do you really want to polish every nook & cranny of that big rig, when you can be sleeping, and/or doing other more "important to you" life enjoyment activities....???

flatbedding sucks (to me at least), i do not want to be out in the severe weather tarping, adjusting/tightening the chains/straps, walking on that slippery surface when its iced over, or wet from snow/rain, falling off the bed CAN and WILL happen if you aren't careful at all times.

if ANY trucking company "pushes" you to "bend or break the rules", and you do, its YOUR PROBLEM, NEVER THEIRS.......they will deny everything to the authorities. you accept something, and you are forced to bend/break any rules, you are working for the wrong company.

i never heard anyone complain about "bending/breaking" the rules at TMC.


as far as pay, i would prefer miles, as i worked percentages before, and i lost my shirt, especially when your empty, 0% of nothing is still nothing, but 40¢ per mile is 40¢ per mile loaded OR empty..........


hopefully, someone who does indeed work for TMC will chime in, if not, others will add to your questions as i did.........

tag.......

Here we go again.

It isn't for everyone. It certainly isn't for unfit people. My definition of unfit is 130 lbs sopping wet or anyone at any weight that can't see past their belly. If you are scrawny the job will kick your ##### and if you are an obese pig you will not be able to do it either.

It should be your fault. Life is about choices, Breaking the law is a poor one.

And you won't.

They have.